Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Anti-nuke World Social Forum discusses Japanese government’s responsibility for nuclear clean-up

World Social Forum held in Tokyo on March 27 featured
former nuclear plant workers from France, Ukraine, South Korea and Japan to
discuss current issues of radiation exposure. “We have 24 nuclear plants in
South Korea,” KIM Doo Cheon of South Korea
said. “Casual workforce takes up nearly 40 percent at these plants. They face
unstable employment, low wage and lack of work experiences. This is directly
related to nuclear safety.” IKEDA Minoru, who worked at heavily radioactive
Fukushima Daiichi Plant after the disaster, expressed anger by saying, “Some of
my colleagues in the same work team earned between 9,000 yen and 16,000 yen.
Even though the nuclear plants are highly radioactive and dangerous, wages are
set lower than decontamination work. The problem is with outsourcing by TEPCO
at multiple levels. Some 50,000 workers have come and gone, but there is no
insurance after retirement. Workers are treated as disposable workforce.” The
panelists unanimously agreed that the government should take responsibility of
the nuclear clean-up and pursue direct employment of workers.” The same
panelists are to further discuss the issues on the following date. (By M)